Coconut oil as the key ingredient of a beauty brand that pitches itself to millennials? Hardly original or surprising, when the rich plant-based oil has been deemed a “superfood” in recent years, and a beauty secret for generations of Asian women. But when the right people come along to develop a brand that is bent on the right formulas, and gives consumers what they...

Nothing is more disappointing than spending hours in a salon to get that perfect hair colour, and having it dull after the first two washes. The creators of haircare label Infuse My. Colour saw the frustration that many had with their faded colour, and set out to offer a solution. “We are hair colourists who decided that it was time to call out colour...

As the last of winter turns to spring and the weather remains chilly, a good lip treatment product is essential to keep that pout looking delicious. Hourglass’ popular No.28 Lip Treatment Oil now comes in tinted formulas. Blended with botanical oils (with a relaxing scent), vitamins and active ingredients, it hydrates, plumps and lends definition to the lips. The 24-Karat gold-plated tip adds luxe...

There’s something about getting your hands on makeup with pretty packaging. Even better if the beauty items are classics that belong in your regular routine, so you get maximum mileage out of the limited edition collection. (That is, if you bear to use them instead of storing them away carefully.) YSL Beauty’s seasonal range is a case in point. This February, its Heart &...

If you are Asian with a fair skin tone, Shu Uemura claims to have created the perfect red lipstick for you. #RD163 is blended with just the right amount of yellow and blue for a flattering rich scarlet. It is available in matte, satin and glossy textures. (We like the matte one which is especially long-lasting) To complete the look, Shu Uemura has also...

The new lip formula by South Korean beauty brand Hera is not for the faint-hearted. The colours are bright and pigmented; even though the texture is a relatively watery liquid. Fortunately, a spade-shaped applicator with a fine tip makes spreading the lip colour on precisely, easy. The sponge-tip soaks up just enough liquid to dispense a thin layer that stains the pout. Just two...

In this part of Asia where skincare routines with more than six steps are de rigueur, simple and straightforward ones are refreshing. In fact, the tried-and-tested three-step routine developed by Beverly Hills-based dermatologist Dr Harold Lancer has been a go-to for celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Oprah Winfrey, for years. Dr Lancer states his premise in his book, Younger: The Breakthrough Anti-Aging Method...

The hype is real. Hourglass Cosmetics deserves to be in the makeup pouches of the most critical beauty junkies. As compared to many other luxury/ masstige beauty labels, Hourglass Cosmetics’ product launches are few and far between. The bold colours in the collection are mainly limited to its lip line. Yet, makeup addicts are obsessed with Hourglass Cosmetics simply because the products work. Its...

TBG Interview

Sunscreen is that one anti-ageing skincare product category that works for sure. Wrinkles, spots and sagginess are warded off as long as you use sunscreen consistently, and if possible, way before the spots and wrinkles appear. But Holly Thaggard’s concerns weren’t exactly just about clear and firm skin when she launched her dedicated sunscreen beauty line Supergoop! a decade ago. Skin cancer was. As Supergoop makes its mark at Sephora Singapore stores, Thaggard shares the story behind her brand with The Beauty Gazette. I decided to launch Supergoop when a close friend of mine was diagnosed with skin cancer when we were in our early 30s. I set out to learn everything there was to know about sun exposure. What I found was that skin cancer was the most common type of cancer in the U.S., and that it was primarily preventable with daily SPF. But no one wanted to wear it because it didn’t feel good, so that’s when I got to work. The three things we stand for as a brand help set...

While most girls growing up would get their beauty and fitness advice from their mothers or grandmothers, Jenna Courtin-Clarins received tips on how to stay moisturised, healthy and toned from her grandfather. But that is not surprising; given that he is Jacques, founder of the French beauty company Clarins, who started out as a masseur selling body treatment oils from his salon in 1954. Trained in design and photography in Paris, Jenna took on the role of Prospective and New Concepts Manager at Clarins in 2015. “It is so difficult for me to work for anyone else; it is impossible because I’m incredibly proud of Clarins,” said the affable and athletic heiress who was in Singapore to officially launch the brand’s new boutique at Ion Orchard last Friday. The Beauty Gazette sat down with Jenna – decked out in a sexy monochromatic slit-dress by the Clarins-owned Mugler, no less – for a quick tete-a-tete on her role at Clarins, and tried-and-tested beauty regime. Tell us about your earliest memories of your grandfather. My sister...

In today’s crowded global beauty market, there isn’t another brand quite like Lush. The British label is literally one of the most effervescent around: it is energetic, colourful, vivacious, dynamic, and its bestsellers include fizzy bathbombs that release a riot of colours and essential oil blends into the bathwater. Lush is also firm in its beliefs, everything from animal rights to environmental causes; and is loud and proud about it. Founded in 1995, Lush is actually an incarnation of the six founders’ previous mail order business, Cosmetics To Go (CTG) [more on this in Q&A below]. Today, Lush is available in 50 countries across more than 800 stores. Rowena Bird, one of the brand’s founders, tells The Beauty Gazette why, in the face of increased competition, Lush still stands out. Today, the beauty retail market is overcrowded. But what do you think has led to the success of the brand, so it can hold its own? Lush is incredibly unique in what we offer – with creativity and innovation running through everything we do....

When Marc Jacobs Beauty was launched in 2013 with its sleek and shiny black lacquer-finish packaging, and true-to-makeup-artist formulas, it changed the luxury cosmetics game for the LVMH-owned Sephora...

Last Saturday, Kenyan-Mexican actress literally stormed the red carpet at the world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi with her stunning emerald and sequinned slashed-to-the-thigh Halpern dress; and...

Shopping

As a clear sign of Sulwhasoo’s readiness to take on the international market with its commercial festivities, it has launched its first ever advent calendar. Traditionally, religious advent calendars are used to count down the days to Christmas, with little gifts and puzzles behind each “door”. Sulwhasoo’s version is made up of little pastel paper boxes filled with almost its entire range of skincare...

Clearer and brighter skin is always a good start to party season. Skin Inc’s Optimizer Voyage is one of those fancy skincare gadgets that can actually inject an instant glow and tighten skin immediately. The latest version of this device – the shape and size of a regular automated cleansing brush – delivers bursts of LED light in five shades to boost skin healing....

Korean luxury label Sulwhasoo has always been big on preserving culture, a refined way of life that is infused into the brand. With its latest limited edition set comprising of the First Care Activating Serum, a pouch and travel-sized skincare essentials; S$20 will be donated to the Asian Civilisations Museum. Sulwhasoo has pledged a minimum of S$10,000 to the museum.

This year’s gifting options from Aesop are stylish as usual. Designed in collaboration with Dutch couturier Iris Van Herpen, the bold patterns are inspired by the undulating patterns of rivers and landscapes. Available globally at Aesop stores and boutiques Nov 1. See the full inspiration here.

Custom-made skincare isn’t new. But Alcheme sets itself apart with its detail-oriented virtual skin consultation, as well as the quality of the skincare ingredients. The process begins with an online questionaire at www.alcheme.one, where you are required to take a portrait shot (without makeup and spectacles, even lighting), and answer questions on your lifestyle habits (are you exposed to cigarette smoke? what’s your stress...

The wildly successful eponymous label by beauty blogger Huda Kattan is now available in Singapore at Sephora. With her beautiful Iraqi features played up with clever makeup techniques – that makes just about any Kardashian wannabe swoon – Kattan is her own ambassador for the range of eyeshadow palettes, liquid lipsticks, and fluttery false lashes. Based in Dubai, Kattan’s range is packed with beautiful...

The sets of Chanel’s fashion shows are immersive and experiential. Karl Lagerfeld lets his imagination take flight for the shows; the mis-en-scene complements the clothing and accessories, transporting fashionistas...